My Twelve Sons

Last week we saw that the deceiver Jacob was deceived by his future father-in-law, Laban. Jacob is tricked into marrying both of Laban's daughters, Rachel and Leah. Can't we expect there to be trouble? The passage this week is challenging to preach because we see a family in total disarray. They are conniving and envious, manipulating each other at every turn. Their sin and brokenness is on full display. Yet, you cannot miss the presence of God in this mess. Is it not encouraging that God will use such a family to form a nation, Israel, and from this family would come One who will deliver their people from the sin and brokenness? Moses records the events of this family's life to instruct Israel in their family history so that they would know better the God who saves.